Trying To Decide Between CK 2610 HST or CK 3510 HST SE

[Milo]

I'm not ruling out a L2501 but I'll probably end up with one of the two above Kioti's due to the better lift and more creature comforts. Where I'm having difficulty is I keep going back and forth over the pro's and cons of the two. I would like having extendable ends on the lower arms and definitely the pin type link adjustment over turn buckles, rear remotes, 3rd function in the front, arm rest, and a couple other things that come on the SE and after adding them in the cost won't be that far apart between a 2610 and 3510 SE so price really isn't a big issue.

2610 HST
Enough power (probably just) to run 60" RC or flail. +
No DPF so no need to run at higher rpm to minimize regens +++
Manual clutch to more gently engage PTO seems like a plus. +


3510 SE HST
More power so even better running 60" RC or Flail ++
But not all that much at the pto. 2610HST = 21.5, 3510SE HST = 28, interestingly 3510 HST (not SE version) has 30.8. Why is that?
Factory installed options than I want, rear remotes plus all the extra SE features in addition to the ones that I would buy a la carte on the 2610. ++

Has anyone purchased either of these tractors but wished they would have gone with the other?

 

[Sheldon Hamblin]

I purchased a 2610 in November of 2016. I use the loader (early model not the new and improved), a 6 foot rear blade, a 7 foot rake, all with plenty of power.

However, I do not use the PTO, so I cannot comment on that power.

I had a John Deere 850 4wd, with loader and power steering that I bought new in 1989. The Kioti, with HST, did take a little getting used to. One issue is that I run higher RPMs with the kioti, so if your concern is dpf RPMs, that may not be an issue.

All things being equal, I would go with the more horsepower

 

[Jchonline]

Why are you moving up from a B2650? Make sure you buy big enough.

To your question about engine vs PTO HP.. this is power loss due to the nature of a hydrostatic transmission .

 

[chevy]

I considered the CK2610, but after seeing the differences between it & the CK3510SE. I went with the CK3510SE.
The included options on the 3510, that I would have added to the 2610, & the increased power on the 3510 just made it an easy choice for me.

 

[Arizonacowboy]

I have just recently purchased a new 3510 HST with an arena package as I already own a Gannon and scraper blade. Have just used it a few times so I'm getting adjusted to it quickly. My only negative on it is that I personally do not care for the forward and reverse pedals being located so close to the right brake pedal, I have already been in a close proximity to a hill and then pushed the forward pedal........not good! Also how do you move into reverse while your foot is on the brake? But other than that, it's an excellent tractor and I just love it so far!

 

[Milo]

Sheldon and Chevy, I agree the extra power would be useful at times plus I want most of the stuff that comes the SE.

Jchonline, good question. I went with a B2650 with a mmm with the intention of using it primarily for mowing duty with loader and grapple secondary, but I ended up acquiring more property and even more to mow (even though I've cut back from what the previous owner mowed). Given the rough ground of much of what I mow, along with trees to maneuver around, I bought a zero turn (Ferris 2100) which mows smoother and considerably faster than the B2650 with ground contact mmm. Now I find myself using the tractor for more loader and grapple tasks than I anticipated and let's face it on uneven hilly ground this is better suited for a tractor that's a little heavier with a wider track than a B Kubota. So rather than try to sell the mmm by itself and keep the B2650 and add wheel spacers and maybe R4 tires and wheels, I decided to sell everything complete and look for a slightly heavier, wider, tractor, whith maybe a bit more lift capacity but small enough to maneuver on my trails.

 

[Milo]

Arizonacowboy you make a good point. I happen to like Kubota's single rocker pedal on the right for forward and reverse with the brake pedals on the left, but just assumed I would adapt or get used to Kioti's three peddles all on the right. Glad to hear you like your 3510 otherwise. Only other thing that somewhat concerns me (actually I have been following it here on the forum) is how raising the 3-point slowly isn't smooth rather more of an on/off, bouncy/jerky deal which one adapts to by raising it quickly then lowering it slowly to position.

 

[Milo]

More power so even better running 60" RC or Flail ++
But not all that much at the pto. 2610HST = 21.5, 3510SE HST = 28, interestingly 3510HST (not SE version) has 30.8. Why is that?

To your question about engine vs PTO HP.. this is power loss due to the nature of a hydrostatic transmission .

Does the 3510SE HST which doesn't use a pedal clutch have a more inefficient hydro than the 3510 HST which does have a clutch? Because it shows as making almost 3 more hp.

 

[prof fate]

When I was shopping the 2610 vs 3510 was an extra $1800. The SE of the 3510 was $3500 more yet.

SO I got a 3510 WITH: horn, floor mat, loaded tires, cruise, link pedal, mirror, arm rest, 2 rear remotes - TOTAL for these options was $695.

More HP is ALWAYS a good thing - and DPF is GOOD THING as well - NO SMELLS NO SMOKE!

As for higher revs..if you use the link pedal it won't matter.
e-540 s 1800ish RPM and I runt that alot when brush hogging the lighter suff and rarely run over 2000 rpm - tall grass/wees when hogging or finish mowing is about it.

It regens ever 40 hours on average, takes 10 minutes and I keep on working. So what?

Fuel usage is 1/2 gal an hour unless I'm working it hard then it's still under 1/gal an hour. My 74 Kubota L175 (17hp) used about that much fuel. Consumption was a consideration..feared it might double with the bigger tractor. It did not.

I like a clutch/manual pto..but then I'm used to it.

You'll get used to the pedals...eventually. My biggest 'oops' is still when hooking up implements/backing up - like a car, the more you push the more you go - BUT - in reverse the pedal to the left is NOT a brake pedal like in a car but a go forward button...

I use a lot of implements (finish mower, brush hog, back blade, box blade, disks, post hole digger, carry all, hitch) and soon to get a tiller, so things are on/off often, sometimes 3 or 4 times a day. I got a titan quick hitch (similar to pats) and just use the turnbuckles. Not a big deal...you don't have to move tehm all that much and it's always a tight fit so nothing is swaying back there. Handy when it's a 950lb brush hog on a hill.

 

[finn1]

I don’t know if Kioti publishes the torque curve of their engines, but torque rise is sometimes a better indicator of useful power than the actual advertised power at rated engine speed.

I have the ck4910se hst and find power somewhat underwhelming when blowing snow. It’s ok for loader or box blade work, though, albeit a little on the light side.

I like the tractor in general, but would opt for the NX, with its flat floor and bigger cab if I had the opportunity for a do-over.

Not sure if the DK, which is now available with an hst has the flat floor. I do know that my local dealer seems to be moving a lot of DKs.

 

[Milo]

When I was shopping the 2610 vs 3510 was an extra $1800. The SE of the 3510 was $3500 more yet.

SO I got a 3510 WITH: horn, floor mat, loaded tires, cruise, link pedal, mirror, arm rest, 2 rear remotes - TOTAL for these options was $695.

More HP is ALWAYS a good thing - and DPF is GOOD THING as well - NO SMELLS NO SMOKE!....

Options seem reasonably priced, and yes more hp is always welcome. Not sure about dpf being a GOOD THING but it sounds like it's not intrusive.

 

[prof fate]

Options seem reasonably priced, and yes more hp is always welcome. Not sure about dpf being a GOOD THING but it sounds like it's not intrusive.

I had an old kubota, 2 cyl from 74. I also drive school bus soem of the time.

diesels STINK.

If you're not sure about that go sniff the tail pipe on a DPF (or dpf/def on road vehicles) pipe - NO SMELL AT ALL. None. Zip.

Maybe you don't care about the air I breathe, but you should care about the air YOU breathe! LOL

When I start it up in the barn, or use it in the barn to move hay and sawdust and pallets there is no odor at all. I like that. I'm sure you will too.

KIoti dealer told me the filter should last 3000 hours and costs $300 to replace...chump change, assuming I'll have the tractor in anotehr 2780 hours.

There is a tiny bit of smell when it's regenning, sort of a burnt smell, not quite like a charcoal grill but close (the burnt fat/meat/carbon smell)

 

[chevy]

I had an old kubota, 2 cyl from 74. I also drive school bus soem of the time.

diesels STINK.

If you're not sure about that go sniff the tail pipe on a DPF (or dpf/def on road vehicles) pipe - NO SMELL AT ALL. None. Zip.

Maybe you don't care about the air I breathe, but you should care about the air YOU breathe! LOL

When I start it up in the barn, or use it in the barn to move hay and sawdust and pallets there is no odor at all. I like that. I'm sure you will too.

KIoti dealer told me the filter should last 3000 hours and costs $300 to replace...chump change, assuming I'll have the tractor in anotehr 2780 hours.

There is a tiny bit of smell when it's regenning, sort of a burnt smell, not quite like a charcoal grill but close (the burnt fat/meat/carbon smell)

This was the biggest surprise I got after taking delivery of my tractor. In the past when I had a tractor in my small conditioned shop, I shut it off as soon as I pulled it in & started it just before pulling it out. If I had to work on it while it was running, I had to do that outside. If I did not do that, the smell made it difficult to work in the shop for a couple of days. With the new tractor that has a DPF, there is no smell at all. I have not gone through a regen yet. Maybe my mind will change when that happens.

 

[Milo]

Oh there's no doubt that DPF's are good for the air we breath and fine particulates are the most damaging kind to our lungs. I had an older Kubota, around a 2,000 model, and I could definitely smell it. The newer B2650 had almost no smell, maybe when I put a load on the engine and revved it up it'd put out just the slightest puff of visible exhaust and a bit of smell but that was it.

I'm still torn between the CK2610 with some options and remotes or just springing for a 3510SE to get all the goodies (most of them I want anyway) along with a little more power. Prices that I've been quoted seem a little higher than what I've seen others on the forum here get. Closest dealer is just 30 miles or so up the road in PA and quoted $17,900 for 2610 HST with loader but I'd have to add for rear remotes and whatever else I wanted. Or $21,200 for a 3510SE HST with loader, which already has the two rear remotes. For either add around $600 more for third function, so $21,800 "out the door".

 

[prof fate]

Out the door I was 22,500 for 2018 ck3510hst w/loader, r4 tires - that included 993 for 6 years insurance, the 695 for the options and the zero percent financing, which wasn't itemized on the paperwork but I hear can be a grand upfront.

So 21,500, 20,500 if the financing fee was a grand, so that works back to 19700 or so without the options and all that jazz. I have a farm so no sales tax.

Now that was last summer..steel is up, a new model year is here...so I'd expect 3-5% increase.

I was told the 2610 was 1000 less and the 40hp was 1800 more than the 35. the SE he said was 3500 more...which doesn't seem to be what i've seen people quote online. I added a toolbox (free), don't have tilt steering (oh well, don't adjust it on my car or truck..so I don't care), electric pto button over the lever (i prefer a lever) and the extendable links, which might be nice. Haven't checked to see what they'd cost to add on, probably not much as kioti parts are not stupid costly like kubota. I couldn't justify 2800 more for those 3 things. I think the SE was new then, and they didn't have any, so they were pushing what they had to sell. (webster and lamb grove city pa)

Oh there's no doubt that DPF's are good for the air we breath and fine particulates are the most damaging kind to our lungs. I had an older Kubota, around a 2,000 model, and I could definitely smell it. The newer B2650 had almost no smell, maybe when I put a load on the engine and revved it up it'd put out just the slightest puff of visible exhaust and a bit of smell but that was it.

I'm still torn between the CK2610 with some options and remotes or just springing for a 3510SE to get all the goodies (most of them I want anyway) along with a little more power. Prices that I've been quoted seem a little higher than what I've seen others on the forum here get. Closest dealer is just 30 miles or so up the road in PA and quoted $17,900 for 2610 HST with loader but I'd have to add for rear remotes and whatever else I wanted. Or $21,200 for a 3510SE HST with loader, which already has the two rear remotes. For either add around $600 more for third function, so $21,800 "out the door".

 

[finn1]

The tilt steering gives you more knee room for entering and exiting the cramped operator station. I leave my wheel in the full up position, and the small floor hump still makes entering somewhat problematic.

 

[Milo]

Ok thanks prof looks like my quote is somewhat in line with what you paid. I definitely want the rear remotes and 3rd function, and I really liked the extendable links and pin adjustable sway bars which were on my previous tractor because they made it easier to hook up attachments.
They do not have a regular CK3510 HST or SE so either way the tractor will have to be ordered. Then their is what type tire to get? I have had both R4 and turf. R4 is stiffer and better in mud, but dent up the lawn, tend to slide slip on banks, and are not as good in snow. Turfs and R4s are the same price.

I guess I will think on this decision for a couple days. I probably should price a Kubota L3301 and L3901 while I am at it but I imagine they will be more money, lift a little less, and have fewer features.

 

[Milo]

The tilt steering gives you more knee room for entering and exiting the cramped operator station. I leave my wheel in the full up position, and the small floor hump still makes entering somewhat problematic.

That is what I did on my Kubota. Come to think of it I have not sat on a Kioti yet, I will be sure to do so when I go back. They have a 2610 and 4010SE in stock.

 

[prof fate]

in kubota-speak the -01 tractors are the 'value' models, teh -50 are the 'se' tractors.

I like that my kioti came with things i use often that are extra cost on the kubota, like bucket level, right side hand grip on the fender.

I'll have to look into the links... I got a kioti crank unit for tilt, $95 delivered. Works great. I moved the original adjustable one to the other side..now I can tilt either direction.

 

[Milo]

Crank adjustment tilt is something I forgot about and I liked it on my B2650 so that's another $100.